'The Europeans have lost interest in us' Lord Heseltine says EU is prepared to 'let us go'
STAUNCH Remainer Michael Heseltine has hit out at the Government over its approach to Brexit, insisting the EU27 had now “lost interest” in doing a deal with the UK.
Lord Heseltine: The Europeans have lost interest in the UK
The former Deputy Prime Minister said ministers were “completely bogged down” in trying to secure a favourable deal with the European Union.
But he claimed the Brussels bloc was now prepared to “let Britain go”.
He said the Government was not coping with domestic issues while Brexit talks were ongoing, insisting the civil service was “completely absorbed in the dilemmas and challenges of Brexit”.
Lord Heseltine said: “This Government is not governing – we have all sorts of issues to do with skills, to do with housing, to do with the devolution agenda, which is simply not being addressed because ministers are completely bogged down in trying to get a deal.
This is one of the most chilling changes of recent weeks, the Europeans have lost interest in us that’s the truth of it
“And this is one of the most chilling changes of recent weeks, the Europeans have lost interest in us that’s the truth of it.
“There was concern, there was interest, there was surprise, now ‘let them go’.”
The Tory peer took another swipe at the EU divorce as accused Brexiteers of “wishful thinking”.
He said: “On this issue of Brexit there is no unity, there is a division within each party, there's a division within the age groups, there’s a division across the country.
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“It’s a tragedy and I don’t see any way in which the situation can improve.”
The comments come after Brexit Secretary David Davis and Mr Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, held a press conference after the latest round of talks.
Mr Davis said the UK was making “decisive steps forward” in its negotiations with the EU.
He said British courts would take into account EU law, claiming the foundations for his proposals were to “end the anxiety” of EU citizens in the UK.
The Brexiteer also insisted he had held “very constructive” talks on the financial settlement with Mr Barnier, adding there was scope to “explore” a transitional deal, as set out by Prime Minister Theresa May in her monumental Florence speech.
Mr Barnier confirmed he was happy with the clarity on certain points made by Mrs May.
He said: “The Prime Minister’s speech in Florence has created a new dynamic in the negotiations.
“We have managed to create clarity on some points but for others, we are not there yet and more work remains to be done.
“We will keep working with a constructive spirit until we reach a deal on the essential principles on the UK’s withdrawal.”